X. On the Ancient Geography of Central and Eastern Asia, 
with Illustrations derived from Recent Discoveries in the 
North of India. By Woucu Murray, Ese. F. R. 8. Epi. 
(Read April 29. 1816.) 
“HE descriptions which historians and geographers have 
transmitted to us of the ancient world, are not generally 
deficient either in copiousness or accuracy. The theatre of 
those great events, which still interest mankind, may be com- 
monly ascertained with sufficient precision. The distinct 
knowledge of the ancients, however, was limited to a certain 
sphere; after passing which, clouds always begin to envelope 
it. |The almost total change of names, the uncertainty as to 
their itinerary measures, wl the defects of their mathematical 
geography, leave no perfectly fixed point on which we can rest. 
Hence, even where copious and interesting details are given, it 
is often difficult to determine to what region, or to what na- 
tion, these descriptions refer. The question may appear some- 
times to be one of curiosity only; yet the curiosity seems na- 
tural and liberal; and it is often connected with interesting 
questions relative to the history of the human species. It il- 
lustrates the extent to which commercial enterprise and activi- 
_ ty had reached in ancient times; and often, by enabling us to 
compare the modern with the ancient aspect of the same re- 
Y 2 gion, 
